Club Loose’s Russ Barcomb Q+A

April 23, 2016

Maine’s Finest got the chance to do a short Q+A with the Face of ClubLoose North, Russ Barcomb. If you have made it to a ClubLoose event, chances are you have seen the man with the chest length beard, flying around the track in either a golf cart or a moped, picking up debris and resetting cones and tires. That’s the man we got a chance to talk to, and that man is a HUGE part on why we are still talking about ClubLoose today, and going to events in the near future. Russ Barcomb everyone, the man, the myth, the legend:

MF: What is Clubloose all about for those who don’t know?RB: Club Loose is a worldwide club of bad ass men and woman who spit fire and shred tires.

MF: Is Clubloose a nationwide club?RB: It’s worldwide now. NJ is where it all started 14 yrs ago when Matt Petty and his bros needed a place to drive, then John Wagner started hosting events as CLUBLOOSE II. I then started doing event in NH, now Eric O Sullivan is hosting events in Ireland.

MF: Where did you get your start in drifting?RB: I started drifting in NH and Mass. parking lots on Sunday mornings at like 6 am, no one was up at 6am EVER on a Sunday, no police. So I’d do runs in warehouse sections and then I started going to Star Speedway in Epping a circle track, traveled all over the east coast to random events,then Clubloose went to NHMS and we have been shredding there for a few years.

MF: What was your first car?RB: My first car was a Buick Century. lol gramma ride. My 1st drift car was a 1989 Nissan 240sx I got it 100% stock from a family in mass, had skittles in the seats melted crayons etc/ you have seen it I’ve had it for about 14 yrs now. My Maroon S13.5 Sr20det etc etcPhoto Credit: Kevin Nguyen

MF: Do you see yourself growing the club and making more events?RB: 100% yes. I have no interest in doing this once and moving on. When My son Deven, who is now 8 yrs old goes to his 1st event as a driver (8 yrs) and learns to drive and is taught life lesson by his peers within the club, then and only then will I think about moving on AFTER a few years.

MF: Are there different Classes, and if so what is the difference?RB: We have 3 diff groups now. C B & A C being 100% new 1st timers. We set them up with a hand out and with a ton of info on it, for car set up and driver tips. After they can show me they can handle the car FULLY in c group they are moved in to B, which allows them to now open up the course a bit and use the back section. I’ve seen a handful of cars get sent to the junk yard when the rear section is not done right, or someone has a failure in brakes. Once B group drivers have shown me they can control the car and themselves, you can see “fear” or lack of confidence in a drivers actions and listening to his throttle control, once I see they are 100% confident in themselves and can shred the course over and over with no spins I’ll send them up. A group is where a cage is needed and they will be running with other cars door to door, growing more skills and showing the newer drivers what to look forward too

MF: Is it all for fun or is their competitive events?RB: 100% grassroots drift event no comps. we like to “keep drifting fun” everyone helps each other out and strives to be good drivers and people.

MF: How do new people get involved?RB: Show up? If you would like info, clubloose-north.com has all the info for drivers and spectators. We hold events all summer long and all are welcome. We even had a few birthdays last event, Logan turned 6, and also had a older woman I’d assume 70, filming from a IPad. It’s a bunch of fun and each drivers personality is shown in his car and driving. It’s for families, dogs, cats, young, and old, as you’ve seen it’s just a bunch of wild boys.